ABP asks Meredith Matthews, Brett Watson, Raelina Krikston , Dana Quillman, Jeffrey Scott Sterling…
Bike Infrastructure in Arcata
I asked this same question to the candidates in the primary but figured it still applies so here it is!
The last comprehensive bike plan for our city was drafted in 2018. Drafted prior to the pandemic and prior to HSU’s new Cal-Poly status. With the impending influx of students and staff, urgency to meet climate goals and other cities using the lockdown time to transform their cities bike infrastructure, Arcata is still falling far behind its goal of 50% of trips taken by non-motorized transport, which for a city this size should not be the case.
While projects like the Annie & Mary trail, Gateway connection path and Eureka-Arcata trail are great and ideal advancements in Arcata’s bike infrastructure, the remaining bike lanes in the city are still far from safe, convenient and inviting to novice riders.
If elected to the city council, will you advocate for and approve plans for improved bicycle infrastructure? Will you stand by these plans even in the face of opposition? How will you ensure these projects are followed through and not left lingering on the cutting-room floor?
— ABP
Responses
Meredith Matthews
ABP,
Thank you so much for asking this question, as safe transportation infrastructure is something that is so important to me.
One of the first things I did when I was appointed to the City Council last August was to bring forward the Complete Streets Policy, which creates an equitable, balances and effective transportation system where every person can travel safely and sustainable whether biking, rolling and using transit. All streets should be designed and operated to enable safe use and support mobility for all. The Council adopted this policy in May of 2022.
I continue to work closely with the Coalition for Responsible Transportation, as well as the Parks and Recreation Committee, to look for ways we can make Arcata a safer and easier place for folks to bike, including additional trails, bike storage lockers, and more opportunities for bike rentals.
I have 2 children who bike these roads, and I am committed to make them safer for everyone.
Brett Watson
I’m so happy you asked this question! I have a secret to share with you… I don’t currently own a bike! The last time I was on a bike I did three things I had never done before: 1. Broke my arm, 2. Gave myself an injury that required stitches, and 3. Broke the screen on my phone. Haha. However, I do own a pretty sweet electric scooter that I like to cruise around town on. Though it’s not a bike, I believe I get a similar experience that a proper bicyclist gets while using our bike infrastructure. In my opinion, ARCATA IS NOT A BIKEABLE COMMUNITY! When I first realized this I was really bummed out and it made this issue a brighter spot on my radar. We pay so much lip service to this but the truth is we aren’t. Specifically, I don’t find the bike lanes and paths very safe from vehicle traffic. Our street designs should place the prioirty on bicycles and pedestriansFIRST, and cars second. Also, we need to run our street sweeper A LOT more. The bike lanes I use are always filled with rocks and debris, and I know this gives quite a few people flat tires and can lead to accidents. I think bikes are awesome and I applaud all of my fellow community members who brave the City traffic every day as they bike to work, school, etc. Several years ago, I voted to support the original installation of the rental bikes on the Plaza, and Ive always supported the small improvements the staff suggested to our bike infrastructure over the years. Also, I was able to use funds from a local non-profit to install the bicycle repair station you see in front of City Hall. Thanks, Netra! The bicycle repair stations are occasionally vandalized. Parts are broken and tools are stolen. I’ve requested their repair frequently in the past but it never seems to get done. This needs to change and we need to clean our streets, for starters. As you probably know, all of these things are doable with three affirmative votes from the Council. I will absolutely continue to be one of those votes and encourage my fellow council members to do the same. I’ll gladly sit down and listen to bicycle infrastructure advocates and help move the best ideas forward. When I convinced the City Council to spend the funds needed to repave G Street from 12th to 18th street, I invited Colin Fiske of CRTP to walk the street with me and suggest improvements to pedestrian and bicycle safety. We then sent those recommendations to our city engineer for consideration. Mr. Fiske and I dont agree on everything but I knew that as an outspoken car-free infrastructure advocate it was important to get his input. We CAN make this City into a safe place to walk and bike. I urge you to hold your elected officials accountable and ask us to give you clear and specific measures we’re willing to take to make the City a bicycle friendly community we dream of becoming. Demand real results. I’m willing to work with any group to help move this issue forward. Please contact me if you’d like to discuss this is in more detail! Thanks, Brett Watson Council Member Bwatson@cityofarcata.org
Raelina Krikston
Hey there,
Okay so funny story: when i was going to city hall to announce that I was running for council, I rode my bike from my house. When I was crossing the street at the crosswalk (near K) I had to stop short and actually fell off my bike to avoid being hit by a car. The most unideal situation for a biker and driver to be in and could have been avoided if the bike lane didn’t have to cross traffic and the driver was going a lot slower.
Coming from Denver, I know what a world class bikeable city can look like, and I would love to incorporate more bike lanes into the city to ensure that we have safe transportation for people walking, biking, rollerblading, and scootering around town.
It has to be a priority for planning, and for road construction. I don’t think it’s unrealistic to mandate that we incorporate bike lanes into ever new road and work to ensure our trails and walkable transportation pathways are suitable for bikes. This can be considered a community amenity in terms of city planning and new construction and infrastructure.
So, by augmenting our roads to always consider bikes and cars, and by creating bike/ pedestrian exclusive lanes throughout town, I think we could do a lot to improve the infrastructure of our city for non-motorized transportation. Being an advocate for alternate transportation, I would work to ensure these considerations are codified into our updated city plan so that we can’t let it fall through the cracks at all.
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